Tap-hole closure for casks, barrels, &amp;c.



No, 797,842. PATENTED AUG. 22, 1905.

A. GOU$EN.

TAP HOLE CLOSURE FOR GASKS, BARRELS, 6w. APPLIUATIOK FILED we. 11, 1904.

WITNESSES.

lUNlTED STATE S PATENT UFTT@E ALFRED eoUsEN, or DETROJ '1, MI 0.1 new.

TAP-'HOLE CLOSUP E FOR CASKS, BARHELS, 800.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1905.

Application filed August 11,1904. Serial No- 220,333.

To all III/MHI'I/ it 'nutg concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED OoUsEN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in T ap-l-lole Closures for Casks, Barrels, &c., of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a device intended for closing the tap-holes of casks and barrels after they are emptied of their contents, and it is especially applicable to ale, beer, and other liquids where some dregs are left in the casks or barrels, which are liable to become offensive and foul if the tap-hole is left open. Ale and. beer barrels, for instance, when filled have the tap-hole tightly closed by a cork which in tapping is pushed into the barrel, and when the tap is withdrawn after the contents are drawn off the operator in. the absence of any provision for closing the taphole carelessly leaves it open. By the time the barrels are gathered up and returned to the brewer the dregs have become foul and offensive, and the barrels soon become so saturated with foul efliuvia that they cannot be cleansed any more and have to be recoopered, which involves the thinning of the wood and shortens the life of the barrel.

My invention makes provision for sealing the tap-hole by a device which forms a permanent adjunct to the barrel and which by its presence reminds the operator to perform' this duty, all in the manner as more fully hereinafter described, and shown in. the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of my device as in use. Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof 011 lme a; Fig. 3 1s a cross-sect1on on line a; y in Fig. 2.

A is the head of a cask or barrel containing the usual tap-hole B, which may be simply formed by a hole bored through the head of the cask or barrel or which may be formed by a bushing secured in the head of the barrel, as shown in the drawings, such bushing being of well-known character as used in connection with various appliances for tapping the barrels.

My device consists of a disk-shaped stopper 0, formed with a rubber face adaptedto seat upon and tightly seal the mouth of the tap-hole. This stopper is secured to the end of a strong spring-arm D pivotally secured at E to a fastening-platc F, secured to the head of the barrel and formed with an integral upwardly-extending hook-shaped arm G, provided with a lower curved or cam edge to engage the upper edge of the spring D and force the same downward, thus increasing the tension. of the said arm in pressing the stopper against the seat when the arm is turned into engagement with said arm G, which also forms a stop to bring the stopper in line with. the tap-hole. I also preferably provide the arm D with a linger-hold, such as a ring H, loosely secured in an eye formed.

in the head of the arm D and by means of' which the arm may be readily moved in and out of position against the tension of the arm. I also preferably provide a movable stop adapted to cooperate with the stop G to lock the arm D into position, as shown. This movable stop consists of an arm I, pivotally secured to the head of the barrel and provided with a finger-piece J for ready operation.

The device forms an absolutely tight closure for the tap-hole, and even if the barrel is placed upon its head notl'iing can leak out. Neither can it accidentally unlock nor be injured by any rough handling. At the same time it forms an ever-present reminder of its intended use.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention is A tap-hole closure for casks, barrels, &c., consisting of a disk-shaped stopper to engage and seal the mouth of a tap-hole, a spring to one end of which the stopper is socured, a plate adapted to'be secured to the head of a barrel to which the opposite end of said spring is pivotally attached, an. integral hook-shaped arm on said plate having a cam edge to engage the upper side of the spring intermediate its ends and force the same downward and forming a stop for said spring, and a finger-hold on the end of said spring adjacent to said stopper.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED COUSEN.

Witnesses LEWIS E. FLANDEns, O'r'ro F. BARTHEL. 

